Broad rung ladder



26, 19 5. N. L. DAHL'ANDER' 2,378 914 .BROAD RUNG LADDER Filed May 14, 1945 I N VEN TOR 4 052 LDA HLANDEI? 1;, ATTORNEY pensory element, a. set of broad treads o ijlstesp Patented June 26, 1945- s t JBROADRUNGiAfiITE R t Neel nfiiah ndef, NewYork-,= N-r due-half to Robert J.Earl;NeW (Jansen, an

Application-May 14, 1943, s ria1 fi 433K936 J "1e em 1 s; (pheasant This invention relates to "flexibllwladders general andmore especially to flexible ehdin leaders of the type extensively useddn' ebnnee tienwith sea goi'ng vessels and known as Jacobs ladders: l l

7 Athena the objects'of the present inventien i it is aimed to provide an improved flexibleledder provided with rungs thatdnli h'ave ah extended tread or gribping surface 1 eonstitlitin'g the rung for the foot of the user, blit whioh will be anehofedinpositidn for useTtheiebyrinaterially reducing the hazards ene'duhtered barehands of a user in extremelowteinfiera 9 takes, but also inpart cernp'ose'd bf-=meta1, so"

that should '(ilfe or the other wdo'den pertien be destroyed fife or" still'be usable; it t i srieemeally, "the invention aims to 'previde an imerdved flexible ladder, dam -usa e essentially of two parallel fieziible "iiieihhers "forFe hsus fur'i'gs eennecte'd t6 said suspensoryeleihents and coinposed ndt only or a rnetslextensidn; Butezlso 'o'f brie or more woodeno'r the like bhoyantextensi'ons anehor'ed by said 'suspe'nsdry elements against displacement relative to one anether when in useyand spacer plates at the endsef the rungs extending the ftill width of tneru'ngs.

These and ot r features, eap'abilitiesfaznd eavante'ges of theinventie' will appear ifro'm ei nea detailed deseri r illustrated in "the ecoin I, v which Figti'fekl is a rreg mental elevatien or e lasaer made apcording to the present inverlti dfi.

"me; e is a" zrse'nientsl' enlarged eet 'azn s-"ens eievatien, ssmemany" showing one 'dtthe eese-r Fig. 4 is a sect" V In the ernbodimentfshown there: is illustrated a single ladder as distinguished from a: multiple ladder,

l flo seclief two flexible members ioreaeh longitudinally ex-tending suspensory element I 2;

In; the present,instaneeveaeh 10f the-flexible members 3, 4, 5 and 6 iseomposedei a, chain;

the links .ot which are typical of the-lock-link pattern tend arranged :preferably with the tree loop of the link, sueh astthelink 1; atthe bottom; and the interconnected end-portions 8 and 9 of sueh lin-k Tatthe top. Jlhe uppermest link H! of each chain is; preferably-reversed as eempared-te the pesitionof the-link 1 withitsfree lopp aty-the. top and its twisted ends I l and II at the bottom spaced apart te reeeive between them tjhe twisted ended 8- and 9 ef the adjacent lower-link as shown inFig. 2 to register withene another; and receive ea; rivet or pin-J3me shewn in-li'igure l: The upperwf reew-loop lies shown in Figs. 1- and is preferably provided with at protecting shield lfl to" engage the connecting ring I 5: i as shown; --=-In other Words; each 01 l the chains 3, 4; 5 and 8 hes at itsupperend; a link III-received by the ring; l5 as shown: The ring I5 is prov d d of rcourse; to reeeivualash er other fastening: means tor connecting the upper endsofthe ladder in theusualwayr 1 In the presentinstanee the two; chains 3 end kareeomieeted tonne ring [5 andthe two'ehains 5 and S-eonnected to anotherwimg l5-.-' Thytwe chains 3' and 4" as they extend downwardly are spread apart andlso maiintained by their eon= neetion= with the spacer plat-e l6 and the" chains 5 andfi gradually spread away from one "another as they descehtd from thei ring 15 to be spaced apart by their "connection with the spacer; plate l1; From the spacer plate ;I 6" to; the succeeding spacer plates t8; the chains Wandare maim ta'ined substantially pamHeh-and; similarly the ehainstiaii'd 6 as they'extend fromthe snaeer bid-fie l1 td thejsueeeeding spacer plates-film The "conm=,etien* of the chainsw3, 4,-5 and 6 with theruhgs and the eonstfuctien of therungs of the presentirlventin. i t

i 2U; consists essentially of anumber of ez'z-tensidns, dne' compose F bf weed er the like l 16W liedt" conddetingrhaztefihl such as'tne rung elements!Fandhflyarrd th''otherof meta/her thellike fire resisting meterialwsuoh as rxihgel;

ment- "235 The lfilGlTtSgGftfiiS divisible rung although obviously the main deatures of the invehtion would be epplieablete a multiple la dder as Well es to a, single; or Jaeobs ladder: The single ladder shown is illustrated-as-eem user is required to engage the rung with his bare to engage the metal element 23.

hands. On the other hand, rung element 23 composed of metal or the like, serves as an emergency rung, should the portion such as the runs elements 2| and 22 be destroyed, consumed or otherwise impaired by a fire or the like.

For anchoring the spacer plate I 6 to the chains 3 and 4 and to the rung elements 2|, 22'and 23,

and also to connect the plate IT to the chains 5 'a nd-6 and to the rung elements 2|, 22 and 23, the construction now to be described, is'preferably employed. Since this connection is identical, the connection between the plate, and the chainsi and Band the rung elements 2|, 22 and 23wil1 alonebedescribed.

In the first place, all of the spacer plates. such as the spacerplate H. are provided with an inwardly turnedflange24 extending away from the adjacent suspensory element. In the next place. each spacer plate, such as the s acer plate, I1. is grooved atthe ends 25 and 26 as shown. and the len th of each plate as compared to its width is substantially two to one. Preferably when three rung elementsl are used as the rung elements indicated. to wit, 2 I. 22 and 23, two oblon openin s are provided, such as the opening 21 snu ly to receive the diminished end 28 of the element 2|, which end is oblong, in cross section. f The diminished end 29 of the element 22 is similarlyoblong in cross' section. These two oblong openin s 21 are dis osed to either side ofthe substantially round opening 30 to receive the end of the metalelement 23, in the present instance shown as cylindrical or tubular-in constrnction. The endof the element 23 is forced throughthe opening '30 to project a short distance therebevond and preferably lapped over or burred as shown by the bur 3| and the outer face of the element 23'nick'ed. as sho n at 32 and 33. so that a portion of the metal will flow out and form the shoulders 34 and 35. Thewood rung elements 2| and '22 will thus be effectively anchored in position by so lockingthe metal element 23 at both of its ends to the s acer'plates I6 and I1. However; further to anchor the wooden rung elements 2| and 22 in place, there are provided the screws 36 and 31 which extend through the clips 38 and 39, respectively,'and into the diminished ends 28 and 29 as shown in Fig. 4; The clips 38 and 39,see 'Fig. 6, are provided with an intermediate web portion 40, and two parallel .webs 4| and 42 provided with extensions '43 and 44 at the end of the web 4 I. and extensions 45, 46 at the end of the web 42. The "spacer'plate I1 is provided with four openings to receive the rung elements 43, 44, 45 and 46, these rungs elements '43, 44, 45 and'46 being long enough to be'bent over on the inner face of the spacer plate I! as shown in Fig. 4, thewebs 4| and 42 correspondingin width'to the length of'the diminished end 28 beyond the plate H. which end 28 in turn corresponds to the distance between the inner face of the spacer platel l and the outer surface of the main loop of the link' 41, allowing, see Fig. 5, for the space formed by the upper looped ends of the link 41 and the upper looped ends of the next succeeding lower link 48. In supporting position, the edge of the web 40, see Fig. 5, will rest on the upper looped ends of the link 48 immediately beneath the same. The web 40 as shown in Fig. 5 also will engage the outer face of the main loop of the link 41 located in the clip 38.

From the foregoing it will be. seen that in extremely cold' weather the outer rung elements 2| or 22 will be free to be grasped by the hands of the user so that there is no occasion for the user On the other hand, due to the connection as aforesaid, should the wooden portions 2| and/or 22-be consumed or impaired by fire, the suspensory elements I and 2 will still be anchored in place by the clips 38 and 39 relative to the metal portion 23 of the rung, and consequently, while not as effective, yet an emergency rung will be presented for use.

Furthermore, in ordinary use, when all three rung elements 2 l 22 and 23 are intact, due to the connection of these rung elements with the spacer plates l6 and I1 and the multiple suspensory elements l. and 2, a broad tread for the user will be presented greatly to facilitate climbing up or down this ladder, especially when the user is encumbered with a heavy pack, as an instance, a man under arms or the like.

In the present instance, the spacer plates l6 and l I, therefore, not only serve to space the ladder from the side of the vessel during use, but also to make possible the connection of multiple suspensory elements tomultiple tread members.

Preferably the outer'rung elements 2| and 22 have a greater thickness than the intermediate rung element 23, good; results having been achieved when the diameter'of the outer rung ele-' ments 2| and 22 is at least twice the diameter of the intermediate rung element 23 to enable the user to avoid contacting the-intermediate rung element'23 in extremely cold weather.

It is obvious that various changes and modiflcations may be made tothe details of construc- .thegsuspensory members being connected to extend along the outer faces of said plates, and the spacer plates in turn maintaining the suspensory members spaced from one another throughout their lengths.

2. The combination of a pluralityof freely movable flexible longitudinally extending suspensory members, multi-part broad rungs-and means including spacer plates connecting at least two of the suspensory members to each end ofua rung in turn'toanchor the several parts of each rung against displacement relative to'one another, the parts of each rung being connected to extend spaced from one anotherinwardly from the inner faces of: said plates and the suspensory member'being connected to extend spaced from one another throughout their lengths along-the outer faces of said plates. I

ascents a; zinc ladder, the combinationoisuspensory elements, each suspensory element composed of v vent longitudinally extending netime members, transversely extending multi-part rungs, and means "including spacer plates for spacing the ladder from the sideof the structure with which this being used and also connecting the suspensory elements and rungs to one another in turn 'to: anchor the severalpartsof jeachrung agalnstdisplacement relative to one another, the flexible members of each suspensory element be'ing spaced-from one another by said spacer platesthroughouttheir-lengths. 1

4. In a ladder, the combinationof suspensory elements, each suspensory elementcomposedof a plural-ltyof chains, transversely extending multipart'rungs, and means including spacers for spacing the ladder from the side or the structurewith which it is being used and also connectingthe suspensoryelements and rungs to oneanotherin turn toanchorthe parts of each rung 'against displacement relative to one another, the-chains of each suspensory element being-spaced fromflone another by said spacers throughout their lengths,

and certain links of each chain-being connected to the outer face of a spacer to enable the chain otherwise to be movable relative to said spacer.

$5. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, each suspensory element composed of two chains, transversely extending multi-part 'mng's, and means "including spacers ior spacing the ladder from the side of the structure with i which it being'used and also connecting :the

suspensory elements and rungs to one another, said means connected to said chains 'to space the chains or each "suspensory element from one 1 aneach eispensm-y element: composedof a plurality of longitudinally extending metal flexible memhers, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each rung having an intermediate rung element composed of iflteresistant material such as metal and two router independent rung elements composed his. material of low heat conductivity such .aswood', metal spacers, there being openings in 'saidspacers toreceive the ends of said metal rung, elements, said metai rung elements 'being upsett-in pa-rt' to reither "side oi said spacers to :anchor said metal mung elements in place, "metal clips connected tosaid ispacers and embracing parts of i said flexible members, and screws connecting said clips to said wood rung elements.

" 9. The combination or suspensory elements, each suspensory element composed .of a plurality of longitudinally extending :metal flexible members, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each rung having an intermediate rungtelement composed of "lire rcsistantcmaterial such as metal and two outer independent rung elements com posed of a material of low heat conductivity such as. wood, zmetalspacers, there :being openings said spacers'to ireceivet'he ends of said metal rung elements; said lmetal'uung elements being upset :in part to either :side :oftsaid spacers to anchor said metal rung elements 'in place, there being oblong openings :in said spacersvto zeithercside of said,

metal rung element, oblong-diminished :ends (on r said wood rung elements extending into the oblongopeni-ngsinsaidspacers, andrmetal clip's conother and'also connected to the several parts of each rung tospacethem-alongside of one another in a transverse direction. r a

6. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, each suspensory element composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending metal flexible members, transversely extending multi-part a the severalrungelements of each rung to space them along side, of one another in a transverse direction.

7. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, each suspensory element composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending metal flexible members, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each rung having an intermediate narrow rung element composed of a fire resistant material such as metaland two outer broad independent rung elements composed of a material of low heat conductivity such as wood, and means including metal spacers for spacing the ladder from the side of the structure with which it is being used and also connecting the suspensory elements and rungs to one another,said meansalso spacingthe flexible members of each suspensory e1e-, V ment from one another and spreading the several rung elements of each rung alongside of one; another in a transverse direction.

8. The combination of suspensory elements,

nectedrto said spacers and embracing parts of :said flexible members to anchor thesame in place, I 10. The combination pf suspensory elements,

each suspensory element composed of :a, plurality of longitudinally extending metal flexible members, transversely extending multi-part "rungs,

eachrunghaving an intermediate :rung element each suspensory element composed of a plurality composed pix-fire resistant material such as metal:

and two outer independent rung elements composed of a material of low heat conductivity such as wood, metal spacers, there being openings in said-spacers to receive the ends of said metal rung elements, said metal rung elements being upset in part to either side of said spacers to anchor said metal rung elements in place, there .being oblong openings in said spacers to either side of said metal rung element, oblong dimin- M ished ends on said wood rungelements extending into the oblong, openings in said spacers,-metal clips connected to said spacers and embracing, parts of said flexible members-t0 anchor the same in place, and screws connecting said clips to said wood rung elements. a v

11. The combination of suspensory elements,

of longitudinally extending chains composed of links, each link having its free'ends interlocked at one end with an adjacent link, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each rung having an intermediate rung element composed of lire resistant material such as metal and two outer independent rung elements composed of a material of low heat conductivity such as Wood, metal spacers, there being openings in said spacers to receive the ends of ,said metal rung elements, said metal rung elements being upset in part adjacentbothfaces of said spacers to anchor said metal rung elements inplace, and me'tall clips connected to said spacers and; embracing parts I of said chains intermediate the interlocking ends a of their links to anchor the chains in place.

12. The combination ofsuspensory elements, each suspensory elementcomposed'of a plurality of longitudinally extending chains composed of links, each link having its free ends interlocked at one end with'an adjacentlinkftransversely extending multi-p'art rungs; each rung having an intermediate rung element composed of fire resistant material such as metal and two outer independentrung elements-composed of a materialof low; heat-conductivity such as wood, metal spacers, there beingopenings in said spacers to receivethe ends of said metal rung elements, said metal rung elements bein upset in part adjacent both faces of said spacers to anchor said metal rung elements in place; there being'openings in said spacers to either side of said metal rung element, and metal'clips'having projections extending through saidlatteropenings and 'upset in part to anchor the clips in place, said clips embracing parts of" said chains intermediate inten-locking ends of the links to anchor the *chains inplace I 13. The combination -oi suspensory elements, each suspensory element composed of a plurality of longitudinally extending metal'flexible members, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each rung having an intermediate rung element composed of'fire resistant material s'uch'as metal and two outer independentrung" elements com-- posed of a material. of low heat conductivity such as wood, metal spacers, there being openin sin said spacers to receivethe 'ends of said metal rung elements, said metal rung elements being upset in'part to either side of said spacers to anchor said metal rung elementsin place, metal clips connected 'to said spacers and embracing parts of said flexible membersand screws connecting said clips to said wood rung elements, said spacers consisting of oblong plates having inwardly extending flanges: I

14. The combination of flexible longitudinally extending suspensory members, each suspensory member. including two chains, multi -partibroad rungs, each broad-rung including two rung elements, and means including spacer plates-con-v necting the suspensorymembers'and rungs to one another in turn to anchor the several parts of each rung against displacement relativeto one another, said spacer plates being oblong in shape and having inwardly extending flanges and said means securing one link of each chain and a rung element'of-each broad rung to a spacer plate-with the rung elements of each rung spaced from one another and the chains of each spacer element similarly spaced from" one another throughout theirlengths. I I

i 15. In a ladder, the combinationof suspensory elements, each suspensory element composedof two--chains, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each'run including two rung elements, spacer plates, and means securing one'link of each chain and a rung element of each rung to a spacer plate with the rung elements of each rung spaced from one another and the chains of each suspensory element similarly spaced from one'another throughout their lengths. 4 16. In a ladder, the combinationof suspensory elements, each suspensory element composed of two chains, transversely extending multi-part rungs, each rung including two wood rung elements and an intermediate metal rung element, spacer plates, said metal rung elements secured to said spacer plates, and means securing one link of each chain and a wood rung element of each rung to a spacer plate with-the wood rung elements of a rung spaced from one another and the chains of each suspensory element similarly spaced from one another throughout their lengths."

NOEL L.,DAHLANDER. 

